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How to Nature Journal
A Free Beginner's Guide
By Lotti Brown
It's me - Lotti BrownIf you’ve been wondering how to nature journal but aren’t sure where to begin, this free beginner’s guide will show you exactly how to start - simply, gently, and without pressure...
Nature journaling is one of the easiest ways to slow down, notice the seasons, and reconnect with the natural world around you.
Maybe you love the idea, but you’re not sure:
- What do I actually need?
- What should I draw or write about?
- Do I have to be good at drawing?
- What if I get it wrong?
You’re not alone.
Nature journaling doesn’t require artistic talent, specialist knowledge, or hours of spare time.
It simply begins with noticing.
And I’ve created a free guide to help you start...
Getting Started with your First Nature Journal - free PDF guide
What Is Nature Journaling?
My own nature journalNature journaling is the practice of observing the natural world and recording your experience through drawing, writing, mapping, lists, diagrams, or even simple notes.
It can include:
- Flowers in your garden
- Birds in your street
- The sky from your window
- A leaf on your walk
- The weather, light, or changing seasons
- Even fruit and vegetables in your kitchen
Nature journaling is not about creating perfect pages...
It’s about paying attention.
When you learn how to nature journal, you begin to:
- Feel more present
- Notice more beauty in ordinary days
- Develop curiosity about the world around you
- Slow your thoughts
- Create something just for yourself
Learn how to make nature journal pages to get started easilyLearning how to nature journal doesn’t require artistic skill or specialist knowledge - only curiosity and a willingness to notice the world around you.
If you're new to the idea, you may also enjoy reading my guide explaining what nature journaling is and why people keep nature journals.
I also share my own personal reasons for keeping a nature journal, here...
How to Start a Nature Journal (Step-by-Step)
Sample page from the beginner nature journaling free PDF guideWhat you Need to Start Nature Journaling
The good news? You need far less than you think.
To start a nature journal, all you really need is:
- Something to write or draw on
- Something to write or draw with
That’s it.
A simple notebook and a pen or pencil are more than enough.
You don’t need expensive art supplies or specialist equipment. Nature journaling is about noticing — not perfection.
If you’d like more detailed suggestions on journals, pens, pencils, and optional extras, you’ll find a fuller breakdown inside the free guide.
Download the free beginner’s guide here
Choosing your First Nature Journal
Many beginners feel stuck choosing the 'right' journal - but there isn’t one perfect option.
A few gentle guidelines:
- Choose a size that doesn’t feel intimidating
- Pick paper that suits how you like to work (plain, lined, or squared)
- Consider whether you want something sturdy enough to take outdoors
Some people prefer a small book they can carry anywhere. Others like a larger one to work in at home.
The most important thing is that it feels inviting.
Inside the free PDF, I share more about sizes, covers, page types, and what I personally use.
Pick a journal that suits you!What to Draw or Write About
When learning how to nature journal, the biggest question is often:
“What do I actually put in it?”
The answer is simpler than you might expect.
You can journal about:
- A flower in your garden
- The sky outside your window
- A bird you noticed on your walk
- A leaf, feather, or seed head
- The weather
- Even fruit and vegetables in your kitchen
Nature journaling isn’t about rare wildlife or expert knowledge.
It’s about your everyday encounters with the natural world.
The guide includes simple ideas to help you structure your first page so you’re never staring at a blank sheet wondering what to do.
Sample page from the guideWhere and When to Nature Journal
You don’t need a mountain view or countryside retreat.
You can nature journal:
- In your garden
- At a park
- From your kitchen table
- By a window
- On a short walk
As for when - short, regular sessions often work best. Even 10–15 minutes is enough to notice something meaningful.
Nature journaling is not another “should.”
It’s a small, quiet practice you return to when you want to feel more present.
If you’d like a gentle framework to help you begin without overthinking it, the free guide walks you through your first steps...
Easy First Nature Journaling Ideas
If you're unsure how to begin your first page, try starting with something very simple:
- Draw a leaf or flower you notice on a walk
- Record the colours of the sky in the evening
- Listen for birds and write down what you hear
- Sketch a feather, seed head, or small object from nature
- Write a few notes about the weather or the changing season
Small observations are exactly what nature journaling is about.
If you’d like more gentle ideas to help you start, you can also explore my nature journaling prompts here.
Download: Getting Started With Your First Nature Journal
(Free PDF)
This gentle beginner’s guide will walk you through:
- What you actually need to start nature journaling (it’s simpler than you think)
- Choosing a journal that feels right for you
- Whether to use pen, pencil, or colour
- What to journal about (even if you live in a town or city)
- Where and when to nature journal
- Simple ways to structure your first page
- Why nature journaling can help you feel calmer, more connected, and more present
It’s practical, encouraging, and designed to remove the overwhelm.
No email required. Just download and begin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nature Journaling
Do you have to be good at drawing to start a nature journal?
Do you have to be good at drawing to start a nature journal?
Not at all. Nature journaling is about noticing and recording your experience of the natural world, not creating perfect artwork. Many people start with very simple sketches, notes, lists, or even just written observations. Drawing is simply a way of helping you look more closely.
What should beginners put in a nature journal?
What should beginners put in a nature journal?
Beginners can start with very simple observations. You might draw a leaf, record the weather, sketch a bird you noticed on a walk, or write a few notes about the season. Nature journaling is about your personal experience of nature - even small everyday moments are perfect subjects.
How often should you nature journal?
How often should you nature journal?
There’s no strict rule. Some people journal every day, while others return to their journal once a week or whenever they feel inspired. Even short sessions of 10-15 minutes can be enough to notice something interesting and record it.
Can you nature journal in a city?
Can you nature journal in a city?
Yes, absolutely. Nature journaling works anywhere. You can observe plants in a park, birds on rooftops, insects on a windowsill, or even the changing sky from your window. Nature journaling is about noticing the natural world around you, wherever you are.
What materials do you need to start nature journaling?
What materials do you need to start nature journaling?
You only need two things: something to draw or write on, and something to draw or write with. A simple notebook and a pen or pencil are more than enough to begin. Many people start with very basic materials and add other tools later if they wish.
Who is this guide for?
Beginner nature journaling guide (free)Many people start a nature journal simply because they want a quieter, more mindful relationship with the natural world...
This free guide is perfect if:
- You’re completely new and don’t know how to nature journal
- You feel nervous about drawing
- You want something creative but calming
- You love nature, folklore, wildlife, or seasonal living
- You’ve started before and stopped - and want a gentle restart
You don’t need to be 'good at art'...
You don’t need to know plant names...
You don’t need to live in the countryside.
You just need a page and a pen.
A Gentle First Step
Think of this guide as the doorway into nature journaling.
It will help you begin simply - without pressure, without perfect drawings, and without needing to know anything about plants or wildlife in advance.
It won’t overwhelm you with rules or complicated techniques.
Instead, it helps you begin - simply, imperfectly, and in your own way.
There’s no wrong way to notice the world - only your way.
Download your free copy and start your first nature journal page today...
P.S. If you’d like a little more structure as you begin, I’ve also put together a gentle introduction to nature journaling - guiding you through your first few days and helping you build confidence as you go.
Start here: A Gentle Introduction to Nature Journaling
Begin simply. Then let it unfold...
When you're ready, you can also start to explore inside my Nature Journaling hub here at LottiBrownDesigns.com to get nature journal prompts, learn about mindful nature journaling, peek inside my own nature journals, and more...
Deepen Your Nature Journaling Practice
Deepen your nature journaling practice with me...If you’ve enjoyed my nature journaling reflections, you might also like my 20-lesson course, Imperfect Nature Journaling.
It’s a gently structured, self-paced journey designed to help you:
• Slow down and notice more deeply
• Build confidence in drawing and observing
• Create a calming journaling ritual you can return to
• Feel more connected to the seasons and the natural world
No perfection required. Just curiosity and a notebook.
You can explore the course here whenever you’re ready...
P.S. If you’re just beginning - or would like something quieter and more simple to start with - you might first like to get started with my free 'Getting Started' guide or gain momentum with my 'Gentle Introduction' guide to help you through your first few pages - here...
Shall we stay in touch..?
Each month, I share stories from my own nature journal, new art from my studio, and simple seasonal inspiration to help you feel more connected with the turning year - if you'd like to stay updated, please sign up with your email address below...
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Lotti Brown is a self-taught nature artist and nature journaling educator whose hand-drawn work is inspired by wildlife, folklore, and close observation. With 18 years in creative fields and 10 years creating nature art, she brings deep practical experience to her work. Trained by the Wild Wonder Foundation, she shares nature journaling courses and guides online. Her artwork has been licensed internationally and exhibited at Goole Museum and Bridlington Spa in the East Riding of Yorkshire, UK.
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